Surprise!

[armchairqb]

This was a "bizarro world" week in college football in many cases. Then again, unpredictability from time to time is one reason why I enjoy college football.

[..fanatic]

I think four developing stories this year are UL Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Utah State, and Ohio. None of these programs have really been traditionally good but they can all compete for a spot in the top 25 this year. I think UL Monroe is the least likely since I don't think they can run the table and win the Sun Belt, but Utah State can easily beat BYU and Louisiana Tech and Ohio should win out until the MAC title game. Louisiana Tech has three tough tests ahead against Illinois, Virginia, and Texas A&M. It's way early to put them up as a BCS buster, but we'll have a better idea after this week when they face Illinois. Their offense looks like something to deal with.

Right now, I wouldn't bet against La. Tech winning all three and giving the BCS bowl committees a headache come December. Utah State shoulda woulda coulda beaten Wisconsin. Ohio is solid. UL-Monroe is major surprise. Western Kentucky belongs on this list, too, if we're just talking about surprising programs from "lesser" conferences. Look out for Old Dominion next year when they hit the FBS and CUSA. Hot Tidewater recruiting ground and the school is destroying people in the FCS.

[Dossenator]

Arkansas was up 21 vs ULM and stupid play calling with a freshman QB allowed ULM to get that win. With Tyler Wilson in the game 2nd half Arkansas wins by 30+ points. They had no answer for Tyler in first half. To many of Ark's players have given up now, John L Smith checked out before the season started, and I am pretty sure Ark will not win another game this year. Auburn is terrible and yet will beat Ark like a drum.

I think Rutgers comes into Fay this weekend and puts a beatdown on Arkansas and start the season 4-0.

[Eric]

I think four developing stories this year are UL Monroe, Louisiana Tech, Utah State, and Ohio. None of these programs have really been traditionally good but they can all compete for a spot in the top 25 this year. I think UL Monroe is the least likely since I don't think they can run the table and win the Sun Belt, but Utah State can easily beat BYU and Louisiana Tech and Ohio should win out until the MAC title game. Louisiana Tech has three tough tests ahead against Illinois, Virginia, and Texas A&M. It's way early to put them up as a BCS buster, but we'll have a better idea after this week when they face Illinois. Their offense looks like something to deal with.

Right now, I wouldn't bet against La. Tech winning all three and giving the BCS bowl committees a headache come December. Utah State shoulda woulda coulda beaten Wisconsin. Ohio is solid. UL-Monroe is major surprise. Western Kentucky belongs on this list, too, if we're just talking about surprising programs from "lesser" conferences. Look out for Old Dominion next year when they hit the FBS and CUSA. Hot Tidewater recruiting ground and the school is destroying people in the FCS.

I'm not sure Louisiana Tech can hang with Texas A&M because they can't play defense. They can score points, but I saw Texas A&M obliterate SMU and I don't know if they have a shot. But like I said, I think we can have a better idea about how good they are after their game against Illinois.

I had a feeling Western Kentucky could end up in a bowl game this year because they have been bringing in decent players and this was a year where they could all come together. If I'm handicapping the Sun Belt though I still like UL Lafayette, but the top of the conference is pretty talented relative to where they've been.

On a side note, I wish I had posted this somewhere so I could have taken credit ( ), but I saw Northwestern as being one of those bizzaro teams that ends up undefeated in October and nobody knows why or how before it all comes crashing down when they collide with a team much more talented they are. But I think after their 3-0 start against BCS teams, they are on the radar now. I was thinking earlier that their first defeat could come against Nebraska on the 20th of October, but after that drubbing that UCLA gave them, I'm not sure how good Nebraska actually is. Iowa at home is a game they should win, so they could be undefeated by November and I don't think that's hyperbole.